Endangered Species Program Great Lakes Shoreline Project. Annual Performance Report

Transcription

1 STATE: GRANT TITLE: Michigan Endangered Species Program Great Lakes Shoreline Project FEDERAL IDENTIFIER: E-15 SEGMENT: 1 REPORT TYPE: Annual Performance Report REPORTING PERIOD: 26 September September 2008 Summary: This Annual Performance Report covers the entire grant period of 26 September September 2008 spanning the federal fiscal years of The overall goal of this grant was to aid in the recovery of federally listed species along Michigan s shoreline habitats. This goal was addressed through objectives detailed in the grant proposal. The amount of each objective to be achieved during this reporting period was established in this grant segment. A summary of the accomplishments completed by objective is given below. Accomplishments: The accomplishments by each project statement objective are summarized in the following table. Reporting units given are those established in the grant proposal. Explanations of any slippages greater than +/- 10% are provided following the table if necessary. Project Statement and Objectives Planned Accomplishments Reporting Units Actual Accomplishments Great Lakes shoreline prioritization, protection and management for threatened and endangered species in Michigan and Illinois (Michigan Portion). 1. Threatened and Endangered species concentration analyses 1 Database analysis and development of report 2. Surveys and monitoring Michigan Field confirmation Confirmation of species concentrations from Objective 1 1 Completed 3. Surveys and monitoring Illinois N/A N/A N/A 4. Site protection & management All Active Piping Plover nests 5. Site conservation planning 1 Site conservation plan with local partnership STATE OF MICHIGAN E-15 Endangered Species Program Great Lakes Shoreline Project Annual Performance Report Segment 1 26 September September 2008 Page 1 of 6

2 6. Information and education As needed Public information provided and landowner contacts Multiple Reported Expenses: The expenses reported below are the total reported for activities reimbursable under this grant segment, but were not necessarily charged to these federal assistance funds 1. Labor and expenses were queried using activity codes rather than the funding and appropriation codes as are typically used to verify federal aid expenses. Project Statement and Objectives Planned Expenditures Actual Expenditures 1 Great Lakes shoreline prioritization, protection and management for threatened and endangered species in Michigan and Illinois (Michigan Portion). 1. Threatened and Endangered species concentration analyses $40,530 $41, Surveys and monitoring Michigan $84,192 $86, Surveys and monitoring Illinois $0 $0 4. Site protection & management $40,162 $41, Site conservation planning $35,620 $36, Information and education $21,515 $22,201 Project Totals $222,019 $229,097 1 The expenses provided are for grant evaluation purposes only and may include expenses that were eligible for reimbursement but were not actually charged to the grant. These values are not necessarily included in Financial Status Reports nor are they subject to financial audits. Actual grant expenditure tracking with supporting documentation necessary for audit purposes is not maintained by MDNR at the objective level. All financial tracking and reporting for the purposes of audits is at the grant level only. Slippages/Discussion of Accomplishments and Expenditures: Objective 1. Threatened and Endangered species concentration analyses Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) was contracted to conduct the concentration analyses. In 2006, MNFI conducted an analysis to identify and prioritize sites along the Great Lakes shoreline that support concentrations of threatened and endangered species. The first step of the analysis involved selecting all natural community element occurrences and all plant and animal occurrences from the MNFI database within a distance of 0.5 miles of the Michigan portion of the Great Lakes shoreline. Plant and animal occurrences greater than 20 years old were removed. The shoreline layer was derived from the Michigan County layer, at 1:24,000 scale, and consists of a line delineating the entire Great Lakes shoreline of Michigan. The resulting features were buffered by 0.5 km., and the boundaries between overlapping buffers were dissolved to create a new layer of shoreline sites. The newly created sites were scored using specific criteria outlined in the biological rarity score. The biological rarity model is generated by assigning each element occurrence a value based on STATE OF MICHIGAN E-15 Endangered Species Program Great Lakes Shoreline Project Annual Performance Report Segment 1 26 September September 2008 Page 2 of 6

3 several criteria including the date of last observation. This value is used to represent the probability that the occurrence still exists. Each element occurrence is also assigned three other values, one based on the species global status, one based on the species State status and one based on the element occurrence quality rank. The greater the threat of imperilment to the species and the higher the quality of each occurrence, the higher the value assigned to the occurrence. Sites were then ranked based on the summed biological rarity scores of each element occurrence within the site. A total of 1,960 element occurrences (all natural communities and plant and animal occurrences observed within the last 20 years) were located within 0.5 miles of one of the Great Lakes. This represents 13% of the statewide database. Once these occurrences were buffered by 0.5 km. and merged together, 461 distinct sites were identified along the Great Lakes shoreline. Scores ranged from a low of four to a high of 1,957. The five highest sites were Isle Royale-NE half, Schoolcraft County shoreline, Wilderness State Park in Emmet County, Seiner s Point to Big Knob Campground in Mackinac County, and Drummond Island-Maxton Plains in Chippewa County. Objective 2. Surveys and monitoring Michigan MNFI conducted field surveys at the five highest ranked sites to verify the concentration site analyses. Results of these surveys were used to assist in developing the site conservation plans reported under Objective 5. Piping Plover surveys were conducted from 2005 through In 2005, 27 sites were surveyed and lacked nesting plovers; another 12 sites had 58 nesting pairs. In 2006, all beaches with historic records of use by Piping Plovers were checked once, and all beaches with recent nesting activity were checked at least twice. In Michigan, 58 sites were surveyed but lacked nesting Piping Plovers. Another 10 sites were surveyed and had 53 nesting pairs. In 2007, 34 sites were surveyed and lacked nesting plovers; another 11 sites had 63 nesting pairs. In 2008, 34 sites were surveyed and lacked nesting plovers; another 11 sites had 63 nesting pairs. Piping Plover nesting population decreased 9% from 2005 to 2006, increased 19% from 2006 to 2007 and was unchanged from 2007 to Many beaches along Lake Huron were surveyed in 2006, but no Piping Plovers were found. Historical habitat along Lake Huron has been largely developed. Objective 3. Surveys and monitoring Illinois Not covered by this grant segment. Objective 4. Site protection and management The number of breeding sites protected as well as the number of individual nests enclosed for the 2005, 2006 and 2007 nesting seasons is summarized in the table below. Support for these activities in 2008 was provided through a different federal assistance grant, E-20-R-1, and are not reported here. STATE OF MICHIGAN E-15 Endangered Species Program Great Lakes Shoreline Project Annual Performance Report Segment 1 26 September September 2008 Page 3 of 6

4 Site Nests Protected during Nesting Season: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Ludington State Park Petoskey State Park Au Sable Point Gulliver Lake Outlet Indian Point Cross Village Township Bliss Township Wilderness State Park Pointe aux Chenes Port Inland Grand Marais Vermilion Escanaba, Ludington City Park Totals In addition to protecting nests, a number of other monitoring and protection activities were completed. Summaries of the numbers of plovers banded, recaptures and resightings of banded piping plovers, nest abandonments and captive rearing results are provided in the attached reports according to nesting season: Westbrock, M., Roche, E., Cuthbert, F., and J. Stucker Piping Plover Breeding Biology and Management in the Great Lakes, A Report Submitted to: East Lansing Field Office of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, East Lansing and Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Programs of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lansing, MI on 21 November 2005 by: Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota. Cuthbert, F.J. and E.A. Roche Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus): 2006 activities conducted under endangered and threatened species permit # TE A Report Submitted to: East Lansing Field Office of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, East Lansing and Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Programs of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lansing, MI in March 2007 by: Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota. Cuthbert, F.J. and E.A. Roche Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus): 2007 activities conducted under endangered and threatened species permit # TE A Report Submitted to: East Lansing Field Office of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, East Lansing and Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Programs of the Michigan STATE OF MICHIGAN E-15 Endangered Species Program Great Lakes Shoreline Project Annual Performance Report Segment 1 26 September September 2008 Page 4 of 6

5 Department of Natural Resources Lansing, MI in January 2008 by: Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota. Breeding success both in terms of nesting pairs and fledged young hit their highest point in the 2007 nesting season (Figure 1). Sixty-three pairs fledged 137 young, up drastically from 13 pairs fledging 13 young in Objective 5. Site conservation planning Based on the results from the concentration analyses, MNFI worked with stakeholders and local partners in Schoolcraft and Figure 1: Piping Plover nesting success in Michigan from 1984 through Mackinac Counties to create a site conservation plan for the shoreline area from Thompson (just west of Manistique) to Naubinway. This site was chosen because it contains the highest percentage of private lands of the five highest scoring sites. This plan is intended as a guide for landowners, local, state and federal officials interested in conservation planning for the shoreline communities that occur in these counties. This plan is designed to stimulate interest and discussion and result in concrete policies and actions to conserve these biologically rich and unique shoreline communities. Because the area is so large, a separate plan for each county was developed. Due to their size, these plans are not included in this report, but they are available in electronic or print format upon request: Hyde, D.A., Enander, H.D., and J.J. Paskus Schoolcraft County Shoreline Site Conservation Plan. Michigan Natural Features Inventory Report Number Submitted December 15, 2008 to MDNR Wildife Division. 50p. Hyde, D.A., Enander, H.D., and J.J. Paskus Mackinac County Shoreline Site Conservation Plan. Michigan Natural Features Inventory Report Number Submitted December 15, 2008 to MDNR Wildife Division. 42p. Objective 6. Information and education Information was provided to the public to help protect Great Lakes shoreline-dependent threatened and endangered species, particularly where plover nests coincide with species concentrations. At known and suspected Piping Plover nesting beaches, area closure signs, STATE OF MICHIGAN E-15 Endangered Species Program Great Lakes Shoreline Project Annual Performance Report Segment 1 26 September September 2008 Page 5 of 6

6 multi-species information signs and plover informational signs were installed. Examples of some specific information and education efforts completed are detailed as follows: Met with Schoolcraft County Officials on August 23, 2006 to discuss the high quality features located along the shoreline. Met with the plant manager and environmental coordinator of Ogelby Norton Minerals, Port Inland Operation in Schoolcraft and Mackinac Counties on August 24, 2006 to discuss the high quality features located on land owned by the plant and to receive permission to conduct further surveys on their property. Provided one educational workshop for Schoolcraft Township Supervisors and County Zoning Officials and MSU County Extension Director on September 7, Met with Richard Stevenson, MDNR Service Forester, and Sherri MacKinnon, MDNR Wildlife Biologist in Newberry to discuss the unique natural shoreline features in Mackinac County, identify threats to these features and brainstorm ways to protect shoreline communities and the plants and animals they support. Provided one educational workshop for the Schoolcraft County Planning Commission, CUPPAD (Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development) and the general public on April 3, Provided one educational workshop for the general public and Schoolcraft County officials at a session to discuss updating the county s master plan on August 14, Met with Thompson Township Supervisor Laurie Jasmin, (also Thompson Historic Advisory Committee member) at the Thompson State Historic site on August 15, We discussed potential additions to the interpretive panels at the shoreline historic site to include information on threatened and endangered species. In addition, brief surveys for rare plants and animals as well as invasive species were conducted at this site. Met with the plover monitor (hired by the Central Lake Superior Land Conservancy through USFWS funds) and interested public August 15, 2008 at the Gulliver Lake outlet plover nesting site to discuss long term protection strategies for plovers in Schoolcraft and Mackinac County. Copies of abstracts of rare shoreline plants, animals and natural communities were provided to meeting participants and those who attended the presentations (abstracts found at MNFI website). Copies of the publication Between Land and Lake: Michigan s Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands were made available at all presentations. Digital copy of the Powerpoint presentation was provided to MDNR by MNFI. STATE OF MICHIGAN E-15 Endangered Species Program Great Lakes Shoreline Project Annual Performance Report Segment 1 26 September September 2008 Page 6 of 6

7 Westbrock et al For Inter-agency Use Only N O T FOR P U B L I C A T I O N Piping Plover Breeding Biology and Management in the Great Lakes, 2005 A Report Submitted to: East Lansing Field Office of the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, East Lansing, MI Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Programs Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lansing, MI 21 November 2005 by: Mark Westbrock Erin Roche Francesca Cuthbert Jennifer Stucker Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA 1980 Folwell Avenue St. Paul, MN (612) plovers@umn.edu 1

8 Westbrock et al Contents: Introduction 2 Methods 3 Results 5 A. Overview 5 B. Individual Site Summaries 5 Lower Peninsula Michigan 5 Ludington State Park 6 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 6 Beaver Island 10 Cross Village Township 12 Bliss Township 12 Wilderness State Park 12 Upper Peninsula Michigan 13 Pointe aux Chenes 13 Port Inland 14 Grand Marais 15 Vermilion 16 Wisconsin 16 C. Banding 16 D. Captive rearing 16 Discussion 17 Recommendations 18 Acknowledgements 19 2

9 Westbrock et al Introduction: Historically, Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) nested along the shoreline of all the Great Lakes and were once considered locally common throughout the region (Hatt et al. 1948, Cotrille 1957, Lambert & Ratcliff 1981). Increased human use (e.g. recreation; residential development) of plover habitat over the past 100 years is believed to be the most important cause of population decline and current federal endangered status of the Great Lakes Piping Plover population. By 1986, only 17 pairs remained (USFWS 1988). Since listing (USFWS 1988) in 1986, nesting has been restricted to Mason, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Leelanau and Cheboygan counties in Michigan s Lower Peninsula and Alger, Chippewa, Schoolcraft, Delta and Mackinac counties in the Upper Peninsula. Additionally, plovers have also nested in Bayfield and Marinette counties in Wisconsin. This report summarizes monitoring and management activities in the 2005 breeding season. Methods: Surveys. To document breeding activity or presence of nonbreeding plovers, we surveyed all Michigan shoreline occupied by nesting plovers since the population was listed and sites with historic records of nesting. Michigan surveys were conducted by field staff from USFWS East Lansing Field Office, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Little Traverse Band of Odawa Indians, National Park Service, US Forest Service, University of Michigan Biological Station (University of Minnesota), Central Michigan University, Lake Superior State University, and local volunteers. Wisconsin surveys were completed by the USFWS Green Bay Field Office, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS), and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR). Monitoring.--To monitor Piping Plover activity in 2005, we visited sites in Michigan s Lower Peninsula that are known breeding areas (Stucker and Cuthbert 2004) and/or areas designated as Critical Habitat. Sites were checked repeatedly from late April to early-august. Sites where no plovers were found during visits early in the season were monitored less frequently. Participating cooperators searched all areas on foot along the shoreline and behind the foredune, where habitat appeared suitable. If plovers were sighted, we retreated to a distance at which the plovers resumed normal activity. We observed plovers through binoculars or a spotting scope for signs of breeding behavior or nesting activity. We monitored each pair of plovers periodically from nest initiation (or from when the nest was first located) until the chicks fledged or the pair left the site after the nest was destroyed or offspring disappeared. As in the past, close communication with landowners and agency personnel was critical to documenting plover movements and fate of chicks before and after fledging. GPS locations of nests were recorded at time of exclosure construction, banding or after plover families moved from their immediate nesting areas. Nest site protection.--at all areas except for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we erected a lower profile mini-exclosure, approximately 1 m square and 0.6 m tall of 2x 4 (5 x 10 cm) 3

10 Westbrock et al galvanized welded mesh, to protect the nest before clutch completion. Predator exclosures, similar to those described by Rimmer and Deblinger (1990), were erected around all nests (except High Island) upon clutch completion. We used three or four corner posts and 50 (15m) of 2x 4 (5 x 10 cm) galvanized welded mesh to create a large exclosure. The tops of exclosures were covered with ¾ Bird- X netting. On North Manitou Island, all exclosures used three posts; clear 20 lb. test monofilament, strung at intervals of approximately 2 x 4 (5-10 cm), was used instead of Bird-X netting. After exclosures were erected, pairs were observed until one bird returned to incubate and often until a pair completed a nest exchange. Nesting areas were posted with Michigan DNR Unlawful to Enter signs, USFWS Closed Area signs, and/or modified Piping Plover signs for use on private or township properties. Nesting areas were closed with psychological fencing (twine and signs) where possible. Banding.-- We captured and banded adults and chicks according to procedures stipulated by our USFWS permit. We used a single-chamber Potter trap (Lincoln 1947) to capture adults while they incubated eggs on the nest. We replaced eggs with ceramic replicas (fake eggs) as a precaution against damaging eggs during trapping. In consultation with USFWS, Michigan DNR and other cooperators, we initiated a new banding system in The change in banding protocol was instituted to: standardized with the international shorebird banding scheme, potentially reduce risk of band wear/band injuries, and increase visibility/ease of identifying birds throughout the annual cycle. Adults were banded with a USFWS aluminum leg band above the tibiotarsal joint on one leg, an orange plastic flag above the tibiotarsal joint on the other leg, and a unique combination of three plastic color bands on the tarsi. We also weighed each bird, recorded sex of adults based on plumage characteristics (Wilcox 1959) and observed post-release behavior. We ensured eggs were not left exposed for excessive lengths of time, birds were handled as carefully and as briefly as possible, and adults were released near the nest after they were banded. We captured chicks by hand. Each was weighed and banded with a USFWS aluminum leg band above the tibiotarsal joint on one leg, an orange band above the tibiotarsal joint on the other leg, and one colored plastic band on the tarsus to indicate its brood. We attempted to capture all chicks from a single brood simultaneously and released them together to facilitate safe return to their parents. After release, we observed parents and chicks from a distance to verify parents reaccepted chicks. Captive rearing.--in the event of nest or egg abandonment, we watched nests until we were certain they were deserted (as per guidelines outlined in USFWS Permit PRT ) and then transported abandoned eggs to the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) where we candled them to determine fertility. We placed eggs that appeared viable in our new Grumbach incubator (obtained by Tom Schneider, Detroit Zoo, through funding from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation) until they hatched or no development occurred as determined by candling; unhatched or inviable eggs were held in the refrigerator until they were sent to USFWS for contaminant analysis. General captive rearing methods were the same as described in previous annual reports (e.g. Stucker and Cuthbert 2004). Prior to release each chick was banded with an aluminum band and three plastic color bands. After release 4

11 Westbrock et al the chicks were monitored for ~2 hrs. Thereafter, daily or every other day checks were conducted at the release sites to locate captive reared fledglings. Results: A. Overview In 2005, 58 pairs of Piping Plovers nested in the Great Lakes region. Of these, 37 nested successfully (i.e. naturally fledged at least one chick), producing a total of 93 wild-reared fledglings (Table 1). Nests at North Manitou Island, Platte River, Ludington State Park and Pointe aux Chenes contributed the largest number of wild fledglings to the wild population; additional 2005 fledging estimates are detailed in Table 1. Average reproductive success was 1.60 wild-reared fledglings per nesting pair. Piping Plovers in Michigan s Lower Peninsula produced an average of 1.7 wild-reared fledglings per pair, while Piping Plovers in Michigan s Upper Peninsula produced an average of 1.3 wild-reared fledgling per nesting pair. The captive-rearing facility produced an average of 3 captive-reared fledglings per viable abandoned clutch. In nests were distributed across federal, state and private land in Michigan (Table 2). The percent of nests on private land appears to be decreasing as the population increases and plovers reoccupy federal and state owned habitat (e.g. Ludington State Park). B. Individual Site Summaries Lower Peninsula Michigan The following sites were surveyed by plover monitors in 2005, but no Piping Plovers were observed. Lake Michigan Christmas Cove Fisherman's Island State Park Nordhouse Dunes, Huron-Manistee National Forest South Fox Island Thornswift Preserve Lake Huron Alpena Cheboygan State Park Grass Bay Oscoda Tawas 5

12 Westbrock et al Ludington State Park Four pairs were known to nest in Ludington State Park, two on the beach north of Big Sable Point lighthouse, one behind the foredune in this area, and one north of the public beachhouse and concession stand. Ludington State Park, north of beach house The pair was first seen on 9 May and a miniexclosure was placed over a three-egg nest on 20 May. A full exclosure was constructed around the four-egg nest on 23 May. Four chicks hatched on 18 June, were banded on 28 June, and fledged on 8 July. The female was last seen on 8 July. Ludington State Park, Big Sable Point Lighthouse East A four-egg nest was found behind the foredune on 8 June and a full exclosure was constructed around it on the following day. This was a renesting attempt for the female, after nest failure at Waugoshance West. Three chicks hatched on 18 June, were banded on 7 July; the fourth egg was abandoned and taken to UMBS. Two chicks were banded on 28 July. No fledging data reported. The female was last seen on 19 July. Ludington State Park, Big Sable Point Lighthouse - West A four-egg nest was found on 21 June and a mini exclosure was deployed. A full exclosure was constructed on 23 June. Four chicks hatched on 15 July, were banded on 28 July, and fledged on date unknown. The female was last seen on 19 July. Ludington State Park, Big Sable Point Lighthouse North The pair was first seen on 5 May and were observed copulating on 12 May. The nest was found with three eggs on 18 May; exclosure construction date unknown. Four chicks hatched on 14 June, were banded on 30 June, and fledged on 8 July. The female was last seen on 8 July. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Twenty-five pairs of Piping Plovers nested in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in 2005; 48 young fledged. SLBE-Platte River Fourteen pairs nested in the vicinity of Platte River mouth; twenty-six individuals comprised these fourteen pairs because two individuals renested after their partners were apparently killed by predators (A Merlin was suspected). Platte- Railroad A pair was first seen on 29 April and a nest with three eggs was found on 9 May. The four-egg nest was fully exclosed on 16 May. Four chicks hatched between 6 and 7 June; one was lost on 15 June, the day after severe rain and wind. The remaining three chicks were banded on 21 June and one of these disappeared on 25 June; presence of crows, gulls, and dog tracks was noted. Two chicks fledged on 3 July and the parents were last seen on 5 July. 6

13 Westbrock et al Platte- Tiesma One The male was first seen on 21 April and the female on 29 April; a three-egg nest was found on 9 May. The four-egg nest was fully exclosed on 16 May. On 21 May the male was not present and the female was not incubating. Four eggs were collected and later determined to be inviable. Male believed killed by a Merlin. Platte- Tiesma Two The female from Platte Tiesma One renested with a new male, seen for the first time on 21 May. A four-egg nest was found on 2 June and was exclosed the following day. Four chicks hatched between 28 and 29 June and were banded on 6 July. The male was last seen on 11 July. One chick was lost on 22, and the remaining three fledged on 27 July with the female still present. Platte Point North One The pair was first seen on 16 May and a four-egg nest was found and exclosed on the following day. Four chicks hatched between 12 and 13 June and were banded on 21 June; the female was last seen the day before chick banding. One chick disappeared on 25 June and the remaining three chicks fledged on 10 July. Platte Point North Two The pair was first seen on 9 May and a four-egg nest was found and exclosed on 17 May. Four eggs were removed and taken to UMBS on 20 May, after the female was not seen and the male was not incubating. All four eggs hatched in captivity; one chick died, one escaped, and two were released at Platte Point on 6 July. The male was seen in the area on 5 June. Female believed killed by Merlin. Platte Point North Three The pair was first seen on 5 May and a two-egg nest was found on 23 May. Four eggs were present on 27 May, when a full exclosure was erected. Following the erection of the exclosure, the adults did not return to incubate for over an hour and the exclosure was removed. An exclosure was successfully erected on 3 June when five eggs were present in the nest. Three eggs hatched on 26 June and a fourth egg hatched on 1 July. The remaining egg was removed from the nest on 2 July and was determined to be inviable. Two chicks disappeared between 5-6 July and the remaining two chicks were banded on 6 July. An aggressive killdeer was present in the area at the time of chick disappearance. The female was last seen on 11 July and two chicks fledged on 24 July. Platte Point - Central One The pair was first seen on 27 April and a three-egg nest was found on 2 May; the nest still had three eggs when a full exclosure was erected on 4 May. Three eggs were removed and taken to UMBS on 13 May, after it was determined that the male had a new nest with two eggs and a new female (Platte Point Central Two) and the original female was not observed. All three eggs were determined to be inviable. Female believed killed by a Merlin. Platte Point - Central Two The pair was first seen together on 12 May with a two-egg nest; ; three eggs were present the following day. The nest had four eggs when a full exclosure was erected on 16 May. Four chicks hatched on 13 June and were banded on 21 June. 7

14 Westbrock et al The female was last seen on 1 July. Four chicks fledged between July. The male was last seen near the nest on 12 July but was observed at Dimmick s Point on North Manitou Island on 20 July. Platte Point South One The pair was observed copulating on 21 April and a three-egg nest was found and exclosed on 6 May. The male was last seen on 17 May and four eggs were collected and taken to UMBS on 20 May. It rained the day and night before the abandonment. Three chicks from the collected eggs hatched in captivity and were released at Pointe aux Chenes. Male believed killed by Merlin. Platte Point South Two The pair was first observed and a one-egg nest found on 12 May. A full exclosure was erected around the four-egg nest on 16 May. Four chicks hatched on 16 May and were banded on 1 June. The female and male were last seen on 7 July and 11 July, respectively. Four chicks fledged on 11 July. Platte Point South Three The pair was first seen and a four-egg nest found on 21 May; a full exclosure was erected the following day. The male was last seen on 29 May and is suspected to have been killed by a merlin. Four eggs were collected and taken to UMBS, where three of them hatched. The female was last seen on 1 June. Platte Point South Four The pair was first seen together on 20 May; this was a renest effort for the female following failure of Platte Point South One. A two-egg nest was found on 30 May; four eggs were present on 2 June and the nest was exclosed on the following day. Three eggs hatched on 28 June; the fourth was removed the following day and later determined to be inviable. Three chicks were banded on 6 July, one of which was found dead on 9 July with cause of death unknown; the carcass was sent in for necropsy. The remaining two chicks fledged on 27 July. The female was last seen at Platte on 8 July and was reported at Sturgeon Bay the following day. Boekeloo A female was seen with one older chick for the first and last time on 30 June. The chick is presumed to have died before fledging. South Old Indian Trail The pair was first seen on 2 May; a four-egg nest was found behind the foredune on 30 May and exclosed the following day. Four chicks hatched on 12 June and disappeared the following day. The female was last seen on 17 June and the male on 1 July, both in the Platte Point area. SLBE-Glen Haven One pair nested near Glen Haven in Sleeping Bear Point A pair was first seen on 2 May but not seen again until 24 June when they had four chicks. Estimated hatch date is 7 June. The female and two chicks disappeared on 25 June. Two unbanded chicks fledged on 5 July; the male was still present. 8

15 Westbrock et al SLBE-North Manitou Island Ten nests were initiated on North Manitou Island at Dimmick s Point in No nests were found at Donner Point. NMI Dimmick - East One The pair was first seen on 10 May and a four-egg nest was exclosed on 18 May. Four chicks hatched between June, were banded on 27 June, and fledged on 9 July. The female was last seen on 12 July. NMI Dimmick - East Two The pair was first seen on 11 May and a three-egg nest was found on 19 May. The nest was exclosed with four eggs on 26 May. Three chicks hatched between 18 June and the remaining inviable egg was collected on the following day. Three chicks were banded on 27 June and fledged on 15 July. The female was last seen on 14 July. NMI Dimmick - East Three The female was first seen on 26 May and the male on 6 June; a three-egg nest was found on 6 June. The nest was exclosed with four eggs on 9 June. Four chicks hatched on 2 July and were banded on 17 June. Two chicks disappeared on 20 July and the remaining two fledged on 30 July. The female was last seen on 11 July. NMI Dimmick - East Four The pair was first seen on 1 June, and a four-egg nest was found on 20 June. The nest was exclosed on 28 June. Four chicks hatched on12 July, were banded on 17 July, and disappeared on 20 July. The female was last seen on 14 July. NMI Dimmick - Central One The pair was first seen on 11 May and an exclosure was constructed around a three-egg nest on 18 May. Four chicks hatched on 14 June and were banded on 27 June. One chick disappeared on 29 June and the remaining three fledged on 12 July. The female was last seen on 4 July. NMI Dimmick - Central Two The pair was first seen on 10 May and an exclosure was constructed around a four-egg nest on 25 May. Four chicks hatched on 15 June and two were banded on 27 June. Two banded and two unbanded chicks fledged on an unknown date. The female was last seen on 10 July. NMI Dimmick - Central Three The pair was first seen with a three-egg nest on 26 May and an exclosure was constructed on the same day. A fourth egg was seen on 2 June and all four hatched on 24 June. One chick disappeared on 11 July and the remaining three fledged, unbanded, on 17 July. The female was last seen on 2 July. NMI Dimmick - Central Four The pair was first seen copulating on 10 May and an exclosure was constructed around a four-egg nest on 1 June. Four chicks hatched on 18 June; two disappeared on 20 June. The remaining two chicks were banded on 27 June and fledged on 16 July. The female was last seen on 3 July. NMI Dimmick - West One The male was first seen on 10 May; the first sighting of the female was unreported. A four-egg nest was found and exclosed on 26 May. Four chicks hatched on 12 June; one disappeared on 18 June and another on 20 June. The remaining 9

16 Westbrock et al two chicks were banded on 27 June and fledged on 9 July. The female was last seen on 5 July. NMI Dimmick West Two The pair was first seen on 10 May and an exclosure was constructed around a four-egg nest on 26 May. Four chicks hatched on 9 June, three were banded on 27 June. One chick disappeared on 3 July; it was not noted whether or not this chick was banded. The remaining three chicks fledged on 4 July, the same day that the female was last seen. Beaver Island - The pair was first seen on in late May. Three of 4 eggs hatched and were banded n 11 June. Three chicks fledged in early July. The adult male from this nest was observed limping on his banded (leg) foot. J. Stucker attempted to capture him on 18 and 29 June but failed to do so. After 29 June, the foot improved. He was no longer limping right before he departed the nest territory for fall migration.. High Island NE Spit I The pair was first seen the week of the 16 th of May. One of the adults was believed to have been banded as a chick on South Fox in Biologists from the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa found a four egg nest but by 18 June no eggs, chicks or adults were observed. This pair failed to produce any fledglings. Petoskey State Park A pair of Piping Plovers nested at Petoskey State Park for the first time since intensive monitoring was initiated (1980s). The pair was first observed by local birders on 14 May; a single-egg nest was found on 18 May and a mini-exclosure was erected. A full exclosure was constructed around the three-egg nest on 28 May. The fourth egg was laid on 30 May and four chicks hatched on 24 June. The adult female was last seen on 28 June. In the time between hatching and fledging, the chicks and the male parent moved > 1 mi north onto private land. One chick disappeared on 30 June. The remaining three chicks were banded on 7 July and fledged on 17 July. Cross Village Township Cross Village Central Two pairs of Piping Plovers nested on private property at Cross Village Central in All full-sized exclosures had netting tops. Pairs were seen as early as 1 May by Nan Hogan. Cross Village Central Township No birds nesting on this property in 2005, although the point area adjoining the old breakwall was used extensively for chick rearing by north pair (see below). Cross Village Central North A pair was observed on 1 May and a 2 egg nest located 8 May; a mini exclosure was placed over the nest. On 11 May a full sized exclosure was constructed around 10

17 Westbrock et al the four-egg nest. Four chicks hatched from the nest on 5 June, but only two remained by 6 June. Two chicks were banded on 20 June; one of these disappeared subsequently One chick fledged and was last seen on 8 July. Cross Village Central South A pair was observed on 10 May and a 1 egg nest was located on 22 May; a mini exclosure was placed over the nest immediately. On 27 May, a full sized exclosure was constructed around the four-egg nest. On 2 June, the nest was discovered abandoned; the exclosure appeared to be disturbed; large dog footprints surrounding the perimeter. Four eggs were salvaged and captive reared (Table 5). Cross Village North Three pairs of Piping Plovers nested on the beach in the Cross Village Shores development in Two nests (1 & 2) were on property owned by Bill and Mary Lou Sommerville. The third nest was 400 m to the south. Cross Village North-1 A pair was observed on 7 May. A 3 egg nest was located the same day. A mini exclosure was placed over the nest on 7 May and on 9 May a full sized exclosure was constructed around the four-egg nest. Four chicks hatched from the nest on 5 June, but all disappeared by 12 June. The number of gulls in the immediate area increased dramatically around the time of hatching and disappearance of the chicks. Cross Village North 2 A pair was observed on 7 May; a two egg nest was located on 11 May and protected with a mini-exclsoure. A full exclosure was constructed on 15 May when there was a four-egg nest. Four chicks hatched from the nest on 12 June;all four had disappeared by 13 June. Cross Village North 3 A pair was first seen on Sommerville s property; they moved ~200 meters south and were observed on 16 May. A three-egg nest was discovered by local homeowners on 18 May and a mini-exclosure was placed over the nest on the following day. After meeting with landowner on 27 May, the nest was moved toward the dune by ~2 m to prevent washout and a full exclosure was constructed around the four-egg nest. Three chicks hatched ~13-15 June, but disappeared on the same day. The exclosure and closed area were removed on 20 June. Bliss Township Two nests were discovered at Bliss Beach in 2005, both on Bliss Township land. Bliss Township Beach The pair was first seen on 15 May and a single-egg was nest found; a miniexclosure constructed on 16 May. A full exclosure was erected around the three-egg nest on 21 May; a fourth egg was laid the following day. On 23 May, neither parent was seen in the vicinity of the nest for three hours, so the four eggs were removed and taken to UMBS; fake eggs were placed in the nest cup. During the above three-hour period, the female was seen foraging at Sturgeon Bay. On 24 May, the fake eggs were incubated, so the real eggs were returned to the nest. Three chicks hatched on 19 June; one chick disappeared between June. The remaining two chicks were banded on 2 July and one of these disappeared between 5-6 July. One chick fledged on 8 July. Bliss Township Beach North A single bird was seen and a single-egg nest found on 11 June, approximately 200 meters north of the above nest. A mini-exclosure was placed over the nest on 12 11

18 Westbrock et al June and two more eggs were laid by 16 June. No adults were observed near the nest after 13 June and the eggs soon became buried in sand. Eggs were collected about June for captive rearing. 2/3 eggs failed to develop and one died during development. Wilderness State Park Wilderness State Park provided habitat for five pairs of Piping Plovers in All completed nests were protected with full-sized exclosures with net tops. Sturgeon Bay A pair was observed on 11 May and a four-egg nest discovered on 20 May. A mini-exclosure was used to protect the nest until 21 May, when a full sized exclosure was constructed. Four chicks hatched on 18 June; one disappeared within two days of hatching. The remaining three chicks were banded on 2 July and fledged on 6 July. Waugoshance East A pair was first seen on 23 May and a three-egg nest found and fitted with a mini-exclosure on 30 May. The four-egg nest was fully exclosed on 2 June. Four chicks hatched on 27 June; two disappeared before fledging. The remaining two chicks were banded on 13 July and fledged on 25 July. Waugoshance West The pair was first seen on 14 May and a copulation was observed on 23 May. A four-egg nest was found on 25 May, but was not fitted with a mini-exclosure. The nest and both parents were gone on the following day. The female from this nest later renested at Ludington State Park, Big Sable Point Lighthouse East. Waugoshance Point The pair was first seen on 14 May; a four-egg nest was found and protected with a mini-exclosure on 23 May. A full exclosure was erected on 26 May. Three chicks hatched on 16 June; two chicks disappeared before fledging. The remaining chick was banded on 4 July and fledged on 12 July. Temperance Island - Backside A pair was first discovered in this area on 24 May, and a four egg nest located and fitted with a mini-exclosure. On 2 June, the mini-exclosure was found mangled, with welds ripped apart, next to the nest which was still being incubated. It was later speculated that a bear was responsible for the damage. The mangled mini-exclosure was replaced by a full exclosure on the same day. This nest was not visited again until two weeks later, 16 June, when the nest was found empty; no Piping Plovers were present. 12

19 Westbrock et al Upper Peninsula Michigan Surveys in suitable habitat were conducted by Nicole Lamp and Christie Deloria-Sheffield (USFWS), Hiawatha National Forest St. Ignace office personnel, and U of Minnesota field biologists stationed at UMBS. The following locations were checked in 2005 and no Piping Plovers were observed. Lake Superior Lake Michigan Lake Huron Beaver Creek River, mouth Naubinway, west St. Vital's Bay and Point Chapel Beach Crisp Point Grand Marais, Coast Guard Point Grand Marais, Inner West Bay Hurricane River, mouth Lake Superior State Campground, beach Little Lake Harbor Mosquito Bay Muskellunge State Pakr Naomikong Point Sullivan's Creek, mouth Twelve-mile Beach Two-hearted River, mouth Whitefish Point Pointe aux Chenes Six nests were found in the Pointe aux Chenes area in 2005; four on private property and two on Hiawatha National Forest land. Pointe aux Chenes - East A pair of plovers was first observed on 2 May; the birds were seen copulating on 22 May; they were also seen scraping near the Brevort River mouth. A mini-exclosure was placed over the single-egg nest on 22 May. A full exclosure was erected around the four-egg nest on 31 May. Four chicks hatched on 26 June; three were banded on 5 July and the fourth on 11 July. All four chicks fledged on 19 July. The female was last seen on 12 July and the male on 20 July. Pointe aux Chenes - Central The male was first observed on 4 May and the female on 7 May; the pair was seen copulating on 16 May. A mini-exclosure was placed over the singleegg nest on 16 May and a full exclosure was erected around the four-egg nest on 26 May. Four chicks hatched on 18 June; one disappeared on 19 or 20 June. The remaining three were banded on 28 June and fledged on 16 July. The female was last seen on 4 July and the male on 20 July. 13

20 Westbrock et al Pointe aux Chenes - West The pair was first observed on 7 May; the male was seen tatooing on 19 May. A mini-exclosure was placed over the single-egg nest on 22 May and a full exclosure was erected around the four-egg nest on 31 May. One chick hatched on 22 June; the three unhatched eggs were taken to UMBS and determined to be inviable. The remaining chick was banded on 5 July and fledged on 14 July. The female was last seen on 7 July and the male on 17 July. Pointe aux Chenes - West West The pair was first observed on 11 June and a was copulation observed on 18 June. A mini-exclosure was placed over the single-egg nest on 24 June; the clutch was completed on 29 June and a full exclosure was erected on 5 July. The female was last seen on 17 July and the nest was abandoned on the following day. The eggs were not salvaged due to the late date. The male was last seen on 18 July. Pointe aux Chenes, US-2 & V-ball net The male was first observed on 4 May and the female on 15 May; the pair was seen copulating on 15 May. A mini-exclosure was placed over the single-egg nest on 22 May and the clutch was completed on 27 May; a full exclosure was erected on 31 May. Four chicks hatched on 24 June and were banded on 5 July. Two chicks fledged on 14 July. The female was last seen on 7 July and the male on 10 July. Brevort River Mouth A pair was first observed making nest scrapes on 12 June;. A one-egg nest was found on 16 June and a four egg clutch was completed by 24 June. A full exclosure was constructed on 28 June. Four chicks hatched on 17 June and three chicks were banded on 27 July. One chick fledged on 6 August and was last seen on 10 August. The male was last seen on 8 August. Indian Point A pair was first observed on 22 June; the female and male were last seen on 24 and 25 June, respectively. No nest was found for this pair. Port Inland Five nests were found in the Port Inland area in 2005; one was located on private property and four were located on state land. Port Inland 1, east A pair was first observed on 18 May. On 25 May a mini exclosure was erected over a four egg nest. A full exclosure was constructed on 27 May. Four chicks hatched on 18 June. The female was last seen on 29 June. The chicks were last observed on 1 July. Chicks were likely predated by red fox, Ring-billed Gulls or American Crows, 14

21 Westbrock et al all of which were observed in the nest site area from 1 to 5 July. The male was last observed 5 July. No chicks fledged from this nest. Port Inland 2, Central A pair was first observed 25 May. On 27 May a one-egg nest was located and a mini-exclosure was erected. The male and female were banded on 11 and 14 June respectively. Four chicks hatched on 27 June and were last seen on 1 July. Chicks were likely predated by red fox, Ring-billed Gulls, or American Crows; all were observed in the nest site area from 1 to 5 July. Both adults were last seen on 1 July. No chicks fledged from this nest. Port Inland 3 West at Breakwall - A pair was first observed on 18 May. On 6 June a 3-egg nest was discovered and a mini exclosure was constructed. On 30 June, mph winds put the nest in danger of wash out. Eggs were recovered and transported to the University of Michigan Biological Station for captive rearing. Four chicks hatched on 2 July and were released at Wilderness State Park on 29 July (Table 5). Port Inland 4 (between east and central) A captive-reared male and an unbanded female were observed nest scraping and copulating on 12 June. A four-egg nest was located on 20 June and a mini exclosure was subsequently erected. The nest was located about 3 meters from the lake shore and on 23 June washed out during a storm. Eggs were not salvageable. The female was last seen on 30 June and the male was last seen on 24 June. Gulliver Lake Outlet A pair was first observed on 25 May. On 31 May a four-egg nest was discovered and a full exclosure was constructed by 1 June. The male was banded on 11 June. Four chicks hatched on 28 Jun and two chicks were banded on 5 July. The female was last observed on 2 July. The chicks are believed to have fledged, but the monitors were not able to visit this site after 21 July. Grand Marais East Bay A pair was observed on 7 May. A one-egg nest was located on 23 May and the nest was protected using a mini-exclosure. A full-sized exclosure was constructed on 27 May. Three chicks hatched on 24 June and were later banded on 8 July. The female was last observed on 17 July. Three chicks fledged from this location. The male and one chick were last observed on July 28. Two remaining chicks were last observed foraging on 16 August. 15